Intermediate
In science we continue our unit about insects learning more about the life cycle of the mealworm. While waiting for our mealworms (larva) to change into their pupa stage, we began to learn and study about the life cycle of the Painted Lady Butterfly. We are anxiously waiting for a shipment of Painted Lady caterpillars to arrive to begin our observations of these insects.

Mr. Foy’s math group worked on identifying and understanding story problems that represented either multiplication or division strategies. Students created their own illustrated division story problems and wrote equations to match. Mr. Sallade’s math group continues its investigation into data, data collection, data interpretation and visual representations. We are finding what we can learn in a glance from the graphs.

Middle School 6th
We’re done with standardized testing. Finally. Your kids hung in there like champs throughout the trials and tribulations.

Students created chemical reactions and tested a variety of substances with pH paper to determine their level of acidity or alkalinity. They were introduced to the concepts of ionic and covalent chemical bonding and explored the wonders of solid carbon dioxide. We will investigate heat and electrical conductivity of various metals.

This is always a busy time of the year for schools and teachers, but this year seems even crazier than usual, perhaps due in part to the extended testing season and all of the lost time. I told the students we would have to extend the school year at least another week this year, so I could get everything done that I’m supposed to do. You can imagine how that went over. There are two classroom events that I would still like to get in this year. The first is the FRAUD! chem lab performance assessment in which student teams apply their knowledge to evaluate the contents of a packet of materials to determine the authenticity of various works of art. The simulation is one in which the students are applying for a position with Sotheby’s Auction House, so please help them remember to dress up Monday, May 21.

The other activity is Canada Day, scheduled for May 24. Students will spend part of the morning preparing a Canadian meal and playing Canada Jeopardy. Parent volunteers are needed to help student groups cook from about 9 – 10:30 a.m.

Middle School 7th/8th
Many, many thanks to the chaperons who helped us make the spring trip a success: Cindy Allen, Mike Choma, Gene Collins, Sarah Finn, Lisa Wood, Jamie George, John Hultman, Wendy Willoughby, and Doug Tunison. These troopers put in a good, solid three days work keeping pace with twenty-five middle school students. The trip wouldn’t happen without so much help and support!

The last day of school is a whole day for seventh and eighth graders. This is a change from previous years when students were released at noon. Lunch will be served in the cafeteria.

We dissected a frog and a shark for life science this week.

Students are working on portfolios and reflections to show off the best of their year’s work. Parents are expected to review these portfolios with their child on Wednesday afternoon, May 23, from 3:30 until 6:00. We will be available for questions during this time. Eighth graders will receive their entire portfolio of Woods Learning Center work at graduation. Assessment reports will be sent on the last day of school, Friday, May 25.

Portfolio Open House
A Portfolio Open House will be held Wednesday, May 23 from 3:30 – 6 p.m. Students in each classroom will share their portfolios with their parents/guardians in an open house format. All families are encouraged to attend this celebration of learning.

WLC 8th Grade Graduation
Woods Learning Center 8th Grade Graduation will be held Thursday, May 24 at 7 p.m. in the WLC gym. All members of the WLC community are invited to attend this ceremony and celebration.

Condolences
The WLC community extends its sympathies to Rose Jackson on the death of her brother.

Parent Substitutes
WLC is losing a couple of its regular substitute teachers to other jobs and communities. If you are interested in becoming a substitute, contact Kendra Brazelton at the district at 253-5232.

End Of Year Lunch Accounts
It is my intention to have all lunch accounts at either a zero balance or have credit. If there is a credit, it will roll over to next year.

“Green” slips are included in today’s Friday folders if money is owed. “Pink” slips let you know there is a credit. We have 5 lunches left next week. Please plan accordingly and pay your bill by Friday, May 25.

Please Note: Slips were run Thursday, May 17, so add money if your child ate lunch on Friday.

Last Day of School—Lunch Served
The last day of the 2011 – 12 school year is Friday, May 25. Unlike previous years, this will be a regular Friday—lunch will be served and dismissal for K – 6 students is 12:15 p.m. Dismissal for 7th/8th grade students is 3:15 p.m.

Lost & Found
Please encourage your children to check the Lost & Found for any items belonging to them. Parents are encouraged to look through the rack when you come for the Portfolio Share Open House on Wednesday, May 23. Items remaining after Wednesday will be donated to a charity.

Volunteer 2012 – 13 School Year
Get a head start on volunteering for the 2012 – 13 school year. The WLC office is looking for volunteers to be in charge of the office bulletin board, and to take recycling (white paper, newspaper, magazines) to a city recycling center. Both these jobs are easy and can be done on your time. We would like to have people in place before the end of the year. Please contact Mary O’Connor if you are interested.

Homework Club Ends May 23
The last day for Homework Club is Wednesday, May 23.

Staff Luncheon Dishes
If you have provided a dish for a Staff Luncheon this year and have not picked up the serving dish, please stop by the WLC office to collect your dish.

Volunteer Opportunity—Please Help!
Five to seven parent volunteers are needed to help check in student computers starting at 8:15 a.m. on May 23. Mary Gangl from the district tech department will train volunteers in the fairly easy check-in process. Please contact Pam Hopkins if you can help.

Volunteer Opportunities
Please contact General Music Teacher Trish Nix if you can help with the following:

• do a bit of woodworking repair magic on a small wooden music instrument
• input book titles into a spread sheet
• transfer VHS tapes to DVD over the summer

End of Year Library
All materials checked out from the WLC library were due May 16. Students with materials not yet returned have a note in their Friday folders that lists the replacement cost. Please help your children locate and return materials. Contact Judy Neal with questions.

Needed: Old Cowboy Hats
The primary teachers are taking donations of old cowboy hats. They plan to use for a display in their classroom next year. If you have a hat to donate, please send it in to Nicole and Deyonne.

Woods Learning Center Mission
Our mission is to guide children to become inquisitive, responsive, and creative citizens of our community and world by establishing a foundation for lifelong learning in an environment of democratic participation.

Natrona County Public Library Summer Reading Program
The NCPL kicks off its Summer Reading Program Tuesday, May 29 at 11:30 a.m. with a free hotdog lunch. Come for food, fun, and a cele-bration of reading. Sign up to participate in the program that runs May 29 – July 28.

Summer P.T.A. Movies
Reminder: Return the green sheet sent home in last week’s Friday folders if interested in tickets for this summer’s P.T.A. movies. Order forms and payment must be turned in to the WLC office by Tuesday, May 22. Make checks payable to Natrona County PTA (NOT WLC).

Volunteer Opportunities
In an effort to provide parents opportunities to fulfill their parent volunteer hours and become involved in the school and community service projects organized by WLC, the newsletter publishes opportunities for them to volunteer their time. Opportunities both inside and outside school will enable inclusion of parents with a variety of schedules.

• Lunchroom/Playground Volunteers Parents are invited to eat lunch with their children and accompany them to the playground for recess.
• Crossing Guards Volunteers are needed to serve as crossing guards after school from 3:15 – 3:35. Contact Pam Hopkins.
• Pack Ink Cartridges for Recycling WLC recycles ink cartridges for cash. Pack and prepare boxes for mailing. This needs to be taken care of every month or two. Contact Mary O’Connor.
• Computer Check In Volunteers are needed May 23 to help check in student computers. Contact Pam Hopkins if you can help.
• Music Room Volunteers Volunteers are needed for jobs in the music room (see listing in this newsletter). Contact Trish Nix.

Coming Events

• Band Tour Tuesday, May 22. Band students in grades 7 & 8 will take their show on tour from 9 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
• Portfolio Open House Wednesday, May 23 from 3:30 – 6 p.m. Students in each classroom will share their portfolios with their parents/guardians in an open house format. All families are encouraged to attend this celebration of learning.
• 8th Grade Graduation Thursday, May 24 at 7 p.m.
• Last Day Activities Friday, May 25. The Intermediate Pod Egg Drop is scheduled for 9 a.m. The all-school assembly/slide show is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Lunch will be served at the regular times. School will be dismissed at 12:15 for K – 6 students and 3:15 for 7/8 students.
• Last Day of School Friday, May 25.

Box Tops for Education WLC is collecting Box Tops for Education labels that are redeemable for cash. Labels are on selected General Mills products. Please save these labels and send them in to the WLC office.

Cash For Trash Fundraiser WLC collects empty laser and inkjet printer cartridges from students, par-ents, or businesses and trades them for cash. If you have cartridges from your home, place of employment, or another source, please send them in to the WLC office.

Aluminum Cans Recycling WLC collects aluminum cans as a fundraiser. If you would like to donate your cans to the school, please bag them and deposit them next to the receptacle north of the building in the parking lot. Students will place the cans in the receptacle.

Safeway/Albertsons Gift Cards Safeway and Albertsons gift cards are available at the WLC office in a variety of denominations. They can be used like cash to make purchases at Safeway and Albertson stores. This program is a fundraiser for the Woods PTC. Please contact Mary O’Connor for more information.

Information Please
Look for the Woods Learning Center News weekly in your child’s Friday folder. If you have information to include, please leave it in Judy Neal’s box in the staff mailroom by 3:15 Thursdays, email her at judy_neal@natronaschools.org, or call her at 253-3900.

Chemistry: This week the students made electrical insulator and conductor testers, learned that some non-metals such as salt water and graphite conduct electricity, designed and conducted an experiment to compare the heat conductivity of different metals, and evaluated the characteristics of various fibers. The culminating activity and performance assessment will take place on Monday. The students will evaluate their packets in the morning and make their presentations to our distinguished panel after lunch. Students should come dressed that day as if for a job interview.

Open House Conferences: On Wednesday, May 23, Woods Learning Center will host open house conferences between 3:30 and 6:00. Please plan to join us. Students will share their spring term portfolios and discuss their learning.

Canada Day: Two parents have stepped up to help with cooking on Canada Day, Thursday, May 24. Thank you Mrs. Christy and Mrs. Speth. Among other culinary treats, we will be enjoying poutine, peameal bacon, and pain perdu. While some cook, others will demonstrate their learning by playing Canada Jeopardy. We are also fortunate to have a special guest speaker for that day. Mrs. Seville will share some of her experiences living in Canada for a year while her husband was engaged is scientific research there.

Have a great weekend.

Calendar of Events

• May 21 FRAUD! (chem. lab) simulation
• May 23 Open House Conferences
• May 24 Canada Day
• May 24 8th Grade Graduation
• May 25 Last Day of School

Middle School 6th
We have received several responses from chocolate companies regarding the letter the students wrote expressing their concern about child slave labor on cacao plantations in Cote d’Ivoire. The students were quite analytical of the letters, identifying two that stood out as being sincere and having already taken serious positive steps to improve labor practices and eliminate child slave labor on cacao farms. Those two were the New England Confectionary Company (Necco) and the Hershey Company. The Necco letter was actually signed by the President/Chief Executive Officer, Alan Gulachenski. The Hershey letter was quite substantive (three pages long) and cited several specific actions and programs it has initiated and/or is participating in. Nestle and Kraft Food, however, did not fare as well with the students. Kraft Foods voiced concern, but seemed to be late to get involved showing a lack of leadership and to give only lip service to its commitment to improvements. Students found the reply from Nestle to be irrelevant and even insulting. The form letter, addressed to “Dear Valued Consumers,” thanked us for contacting them about Nestle Hot Cocoa Mix. The letter seemed to be more of a sales pitch than a letter showing any serious concern or responsibility. We have yet to receive a response from the Ghiradelli or Godiva Chocolate Companies. The biggest take-away from this whole experience for me as a teacher is the fact that my students decided to take a stand on an issue that was important to them and the responses they received have impacted their views of the various companies. Sincerity and responsibility in business practices are important to the students. So, the next time you are debating between a Nestle Crunch and a Hershey Chocolate Bar, remember the responses the companies gave your children. The students have tasted the power of the pen, and because of that, will be more likely to advocate for themselves and their values in the future. Awesome!

After an unsuccessful attempt last Wednesday, most students completed the language growth test on Thursday. The company responsible for the testing has experienced widespread problems with their web based testing approach to the point that they recommended all testing be suspended until this week.

UI and 6th grad students helped the City of Casper plant 21 trees (maples, bur oaks, honey locusts, flowering crabapples, ponderosa pines, etc.) at the soccer fields last Thursday.

Welcome Miss Clark
The WLC community welcomes Timbree Clark to Woods. She will join Guy Sallade as a teacher in the intermediate pod for the 2012-13 school year. Miss Clark is a recent UWCC graduate with an emphasis in literacy and early childhood education.

Parent Substitutes
WLC is losing a couple of its regular substitute teachers to other jobs and communities. If you are interested in becoming a substitute, contact Kendra Brazelton at the district at 253-5232.

Field Day
WLC’s annual Field Day will be held the morning of Friday, May 18. Students will travel to Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park for a morning of activities being planned and organized by Upper Intermediate students.

Volunteers are needed to help make this happen. Please contact your child’s classroom pod parent or your child’s teacher if you can help at centers or transport students to/from the park.

Volunteer Opportunity—Please Help!
Five to seven parent volunteers are needed to help check in student computers starting at 8:15 a.m. on May 23. Mary Gangl from the district tech department will train volunteers in the fairly easy check-in process. Please contact Pam Hopkins if you can help.

Volunteer Opportunities
General Music Teacher Trish Nix is looking for help with the following:

• In search of someone to do a bit of woodworking repair magic on a small wooden music instrument.
• In search of someone to input book titles into a spread sheet
• In search of someone to transfer VHS tapes to DVD over the summer

Please contact her at WLC if you can help with one of these items.

Thank You
A huge thank you to the Intermediate Pod for the gifts. I love them!
—Trish Nix, General Music

End of Year Library
All materials checked out from the WLC library are due May 16th. Students with materials not returned by that date will have a note in their Friday folders that lists the replacement cost. Please help your children locate and return materials. Contact Judy Neal with questions.

Needed: Old Cowboy Hats
The primary teachers are taking donations of old cowboy hats. They plan to use for a display in their classroom next year. If you have a hat to donate, please send it in to Nicole and Deyonne.

Homework Club Ends May 23
The last day for Homework Club is Wednesday, May 23.

PTA Summer Movie Program
Information is included in today’s Friday folders about the PTA Summer Movie program. If inter-ested, look for the bright green order form, fill out one per family, and return it to the WLC office, along with payment, no later that Monday, May 21. Make checks payable to Natrona County PTA (NOT WLC).

Woods Learning Center Mission
Our mission is to guide children to become inquisitive, responsive, and creative citizens of our community and world by establishing a foundation for lifelong learning in an environment of democratic participation.

Volunteer Opportunities
In an effort to provide parents opportunities to fulfill their parent volunteer hours and become involved in the school and community service projects organized by WLC, the newsletter publishes opportunities for them to volunteer their time. Opportunities both inside and outside school will enable inclusion of parents with a variety of schedules.

• Lunchroom/Playground Volunteers Parents are invited to eat lunch with their children and accompany them to the playground for recess.
• Crossing Guards Volunteers are needed to serve as crossing guards after school from 3:15 – 3:35. Contact Pam Hopkins.
• Pack Ink Cartridges for Recycling WLC recycles ink cartridges for cash. Pack and prepare boxes for mailing. This needs to be taken care of every month or two. Contact Mary O’Connor.
• Computer Check In Volunteers are needed May 23 to help check in student computers. Contact Pam Hopkins if you can help.
• Field Day Volunteers are needed to help at centers and to transport students to and from Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park. Contact Marci Miles to help at centers and your child’s teachers if you can transport students.
• Music Room Volunteers Volunteers are needed for jobs in the music room (see listing in this newsletter). Contact Trish Nix.

Coming Events

• Wyoming Reads Tuesday, May 15. First grade students across Wyoming will receive a free hard cover book from the Sue Jorgensen Memorial Foundation. The celebration for Natrona County first grade students will be held at the NIC and the Natrona County Public Library.
• UI Project Presentation Night Tuesday, May 15 at 6 p.m.
• Orchestra Concert Thursday, May 17 at 1:15 and 6:30 p.m. Orchestra students in grades 5 – 8 will perform.
• Field Day Friday, May 18. WLC students will travel to Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park for a morning of activities with their circle groups.
• Band Tour Tuesday, May 22. Band students in grades 7 & 8 will take their show on tour from 9 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
• Portfolio Open House Wednesday, May 23 from 3:30 – 6 p.m. Students in each classroom will share their portfolios with their parents/guardians in an open house format. All families are encouraged to attend this celebration of learning.
• 8th Grade Graduation Thursday, May 24 at 7 p.m.
• Last Day Activities Friday, May 25. The Intermediate Pod Egg Drop is scheduled for 9 a.m. The all-school assembly/slide show is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Lunch will be served at the regular times. School will be dismissed at 12:15 for K – 6 students and 3:15 for 7/8 students.
• Last Day of School Friday, May 25.

Homework Club Before- and after school for students in grades 4–8. Morning sessions—Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 – 8 a.m. Afternoon sessions—Monday through Thursday from 3:15 – 3:45 p.m. Snacks are provided.

Snack Cart Fundraiser Students in the UI pod will sell snacks after school to raise money for the class trip to Washington D.C. and NYC in May. Snacks will be sold from 3:15 – 3:30 p.m. at the south end of the building Monday – Thursday afternoon. Snacks sell for $1 or less.

Box Tops for Education WLC is collecting Box Tops for Education labels that are redeemable for cash. Labels are on selected General Mills products. Please save these labels and send them in to the WLC office.

Cash For Trash Fundraiser WLC collects empty laser and inkjet printer cartridges from students, parents, or businesses and trades them for cash. If you have cartridges from your home, place of employment, or another source, please send them in to the WLC office.

Aluminum Cans Recycling WLC collects aluminum cans as a fundraiser. If you would like to donate your cans to the school, please bag them and deposit them next to the receptacle north of the building in the parking lot. Students will place the cans in the receptacle.

Safeway/Albertsons Gift Cards Safeway and Albertsons gift cards are available at the WLC office in a variety of denominations. They can be used like cash to make purchases at Safeway and Albertson stores. This program is a fundraiser for the Woods PTC. Please contact Mary O’Connor for more information.

Information Please
Look for the Woods Learning Center News weekly in your child’s Friday folder. If you have information to include, please leave it in Judy Neal’s box in the staff mailroom by 3:15 Thursdays, email her at judy_neal@natronaschools.org, or call her at 253-3900.

Tuesday we read Flip, Float, Fly: Seeds on the Move. We then tested different types of seeds to see if they would fly, stick (hitchhike), or float.

Friday we read the book Fruit is a Suitcase for a Seed. We then recorded the shape and numbers of different seeds in eight different types of fruits and vegetables.

Next week we have lots of events and field trips. We will continue assessments, including a post assessment of our plant and animal unit. Growth assessment testing is finally over for us. Yay!

Field Day takes place on May 18th. All students will need their booster seat on this day. If you signed up to be a driver, please be here right at 8:15 am and make sure your insurance is updated in the office.

Please be sure to return all library books to Mrs. Neal by the 16th so that she may complete inventory by the end of the year.

Reading homework bags went home in Friday folders with a script for our plays. If your child doesn’t have a bag, check their backpack for a script that went home on Thursday. Be thinking of costume ideas.

For next year’s theme we will need cowboy hats. If you have an old one you would like to donate please bring it in.

Thanks!

Next Week’s Star: India

Upcoming Events

• May 15th: Wyoming Reads 1st grade students (bus trip)
• May 17th: Art Core (walking to KW)
• May 18th: Field Day *Need Boosters
• May 21st: Natural Bridge Bus Trip
• May 23rd: Play Presentations, 10:00 am, Open House conferences 3:30-6:00 pm
• May 25th: Last Day of School